Learn Reference Work International Edition

A PRACTICAL STUDY GUIDE FOR WORKING IN LIBRARY REFERENCE SERVICES

This combination textbook/workbook provides an introduction to reference work by covering the theory and principles of good reference service, major reference sources in both electronic and print formats, and basic reference skills and procedures.

Learn Reference Work reviews all the major types of reference sources including dictionaries, encyclopedias, directories, yearbooks, handbooks, manuals, maps, atlases, and government documents. It examines the skills involved in conducting reference interviews, developing search strategies, communicating with patrons and evaluating reference services. After completing the practice exercises, readers should have a good understanding of what it means to work in a reference area, use a variety of reference tools and know the types of questions each is designed to answer.

The content of this edition has been extensively expanded, with a stronger focus on electronic resources. New chapters are included on the search strategy, online resources, intergovernmental organizations with particular reference to the United Nations, and government documents in the United States, Australian and Canada.

Also included are plentiful, clear explanations and examples; a glossary with simple definitions of technical terms; a bibliography; and an index.

Learn Reference Work is one of the study guides in the Learn Library Skills Series. Details of each publication are in the back of this book, or visit the publisher website for more information.

Lynn Farkas is a librarian, library trainer and director of an Australian information services consulting company. She has delivered reference services in a range of special and academic libraries. She regularly conducts core skills training for the staff of major Australian libraries, including the National Library of Australia and the State Library of New South Wales. She is currently an adjunct lecturer in library studies at Charles Sturt University.

Helen Rowe has worked in a variety of libraries in Canberra, Australia, including academic, government, national, public, school and special libraries. In her work, she has covered all aspects of the library environment. She has worked in both the public services and technical services areas of libraries, spending many years as a reference librarian and information specialist, as well as being a cataloger. She is currently a trainer for Lynn Farkas Information Services Pty. Ltd. and Libraries Australia, and travels around Australia, conducting face-to-face training and webinar sessions on RDA, cataloging, and Interlibrary Loans.